Presenting in class

Today I presented the final product of Impressions in class, and other than my nerves going on a rampage, I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. Everyone seemed genuinely engaged with the work and I really appreciated their participation with their own impression of the subject. If the work was exhibited in an actual art space, the contribution of the viewer would be attached to the wall alongside the piece (which was why I decided to use a black background, so the white paper of others' work would stand out more), which would build on the artwork. However, today I only had a limited amount of time to present and a non-permanent space, so the various work of the viewer was laid out on a table underneath the piece, which I then encouraged people to look at and note the different impressions made by others. This is the product from today's presentation: 

'Impressions'

Impressions is mixture of mediums: 

Video, photography, sketching and writing- capturing the impressions of a person through these different methods of art. The video is capturing what we see through a lens and with motion, which is different to what we see when we are given a frozen image, that is too, capturing the subject through technology. The sketch will be showing a persons interpretation of what they see and what they associate with that particular subject matter, which is further demonstrated with the writing aspect of the piece; describing what the artist (in this case, is me, even though I don't consider myself as one) see and feel in regards to the subject, which cannot be displayed through video or photograph. With these four modes, it can challenge a viewer into thinking, that while the video and photograph record the subject accurately in appearance, which mode is the more truthful or more revealing about them. This piece can potentially be the first in a series, to build up a compilation of different people, of any person. 

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The process:

The concept

Materiality

'Impressions' sketch

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The different versions of Impressions

VIDEO

The decision to take the video through a phone camera was because the phone camera is an individuals format, making the recording much more personal than having a film camera. This makes it a more truthful and authentic capturing of the subject, as it was spontaneously being filmed, which made the subject react in as just as spontaneous manner. Such spontaneity from both artist and subject, creates a moment that is real and completely un-staged, which is the intention of the piece. The decision to edit this video to a watered-down colour palette, was to represent the human memory and the fact that impressions aren't always vivid; how after time passes, a memory of can begin to fade. Initially, the video was intended to capture a realistic moment in time, to show how a mechanical object can record things, however, when I began editing and made a version with faded colours, I then realised I liked the idea that the video is a reflection to a person's memory and further realised that this idea stays truer to the concept of human impressions.

PHOTOGRAPHS

While the video developed into a representation of moving-memory during the editing process, I decided to keep the photos as unedited. I had taken over fifty photos, and none of them were staged. The subject rarely acknowledged the camera, however would occasionally glance and smile (like in the top right and bottom centre), but otherwise, they carried on with their business like normal. While taking the photos (which were also through the mobile phone to maintain that personal format), I didn't speak or interact with her. There were other people present while this was occurring, which allowed the subject to remain animated and engaged with them and in other things, instead of being conscious of the camera. 

DRAWING

Sketching the subject entered an even more personal aspect of impressions. The video captured and mimicked the human memory. The photos captured moments in frames, with an accuracy only a camera can create. The reason why it is just a pencil sketch is because I wanted to continue the idea of the unpolished final piece; to leave the impression raw, because the aim/ intention is to reveal true people, the unedited. Drawing requires a lot more concentration for the artist, as it involved focussing on the smallest of details of the subject, which otherwise would not usually be brought to attention. And this concentration, I decided would be interesting to recreate for the viewer when they observe the overall display/ piece, so they can develop their own interpretation of the subject. If this were in an exhibition, I would encourage the viewer to attempt their own drawing based on what they see or write a piece.

WRITING

Every single person leaves some sort of impression on the people they meet, which is what art really is all about: leaving an impression. As you distance yourself from the actual subject, the medium becomes more abstract, but it may become more personal to the artist, or capture something that can't be seen through different mediums. For example, the video reveals the mannerisms, the nature of the person, but the written word tells the story which the video version could not tell an observer. Every person has a magnitude of stories attached to them, which often go untold or unnoticed. This concept piece allows for those stories to be shared, but also allows for the viewer to develop their own stories based on their own impression of the subject they are shown.

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The final display/ layout of Impressions 

This would be displayed on a full wall of a room, while the other walls would be filled with the works of the different viewers, so over time, it would build up and become a part of the exhibition. The concept of one's impressions of a subject is the main intention of the piece, however, it can be further highlighted by making the work interactive, so the viewer too can experience; the work begins with the subject and the artist, and from there, it becomes the work of others, their contribution to the work create new and unique versions of the subject, which are based on their own impressions. 

Self-reflective exercise

Today we were told to think about "who we are as an artist" and I have to say honestly, that I don't really know. I don't actually consider myself as an artist, despite loving art and how I often create things, but no big projects. I come up with a myriad of concepts and ideas, developing ideas and meaning behind the subject matter, however, when it comes to executing an idea, that is when I'm weaker. I'm strongest with writing, and write regularly, as it has become an integral part of my life. But I don't do that for anyone else; I write solely for me. It's a medium that allows me to understand and process the things that are happening to or around me. I prefer it when people don't see or read my work, as writings are a deeply personal thing. Writing is like releasing a part of your heart and soul, confessing something that is so precious and so fragile, which is hard to share or trust anyone with.
But I guess that can be considered who I am as an artist- a private artist.

We also had to look at our current project, as well as think about future projects.
What are the mediums we're using now: video and photography, both using a mobile phone camera, paper and pencil and for presenting, using powerpoint. The presentation will also involve the interaction of the viewer and their own use of pen and pencils.
Mediums of the future (aspirational mediums): I would like to use performance and writing,  but I'm also highly interested in instillation art. I would like to expand with photography and develop a knowledge with film. I am interested in how all of these mediums can be combined and look how it communicates with a particular subject, particularly the human psyche and emotions.
Communicating: I'm more interested in the exploration and discovery, with the different mediums as a means of research or used as a prompt to immerse into a state of thought or emotion. 

'Impressions' sketch

Today I finally attempted the sketch component of my 'Impressions' piece. I've never claimed to be an artist, and the result confirms that drawing isn't my forte. But these are the photos of what I've done:

Based on this photo:

 

The basic outline:

The sketch:

(It doesn't look that much like the subject matter)

But I think it looks better (marginally) from this angle 

Materiality

Last week in our lecture, we talked about materiality in terms of our final project. These are the notes and thoughts I came up with in regards to my own piece, 'Impressions': 

The concept

For our final project, I found it so hard to choose an idea to work on. My problem is that I come up with so many ideas, but I hardly ever follow them through. So, starting with fourteen different ideas for this assignment, I finally narrowed it down (taking into account the resources and materials that I have) and have decided to create piece called "Impressions"

This consists of a mixture of mediums: video, photography, sketching and writing- capturing the impressions of a person through these different methods of art. The video is capturing what we see through a lens and with motion, which is different to what we see when we are given a frozen image, that is too, capturing the subject through technology. The sketch will be showing a persons interpretation of what they see and what they associate with that particular subject matter, which is further demonstrated with the writing aspect of the piece; describing what the artist (in this case, is me, even though I don't consider myself as one) see and feel in regards to the subject, which cannot be displayed through video or photograph. With these four modes, it can challenge a viewer into thinking, that while the video and photograph record the subject accurately in appearance, which mode is the more truthful.
The explanation of 'Impressions' will be continued with my final submission.

Meanwhile...

So far I have created a 40 second video of the chosen subject and have taken many photos of them. This is one of the photographs taken:

Methodology of the 'Impressions' experience : If I were to have an exhibition space, it would be set up like either of these options:

And the other walls of the room would be filled with sketches or writings of the viewer, so when they would visit, they can create their own impression of the subject and add it to the exhibition. This would also highlight the idea that every single person leaves some sort of impression on the people they meet, which is what art really is all about: leaving an impression.

I have yet to sketch and to write, which will be the task over the next few weeks.